BSc (Hons) Applied Sports Coaching and Sports Performance (Top-up)
BSc (Hons) Applied Sports Coaching and Sports Performance (Top-up)
If you already have experience in coaching or leadership and are ready to take your skills to the next level, this top-up degree is designed to elevate your career in the sports or outdoor industries. With specialist pathways in sport, outdoor adventure, and yachting, this programme gives you the chance to refine your coaching expertise while aligning your studies with your passion.
Throughout the course, you’ll develop advanced knowledge of coaching theory and practice, applying your learning to real athletes across a range of disciplines and ability levels. Core modules focus on refining your coaching process, enabling you to analyse performance, enhance motivation and utilise effective strategies to support athlete development.
You’ll also have the opportunity to tailor your degree through your chosen pathway of Sport or Outdoor. Each route explores sector-specific skills and challenges, helping you gain the specialist knowledge and hands-on experience employers are looking for. Whether you're drawn to performance sport, outdoor adventure leadership, or yachting, you'll graduate with industry-relevant expertise that sets you apart.
Upon successful completion of this degree you will have a wide range of career opportunities. You could work in the sports, leisure, fitness, outdoor, sailing or yachting industries, particularly in coaching and leadership roles.
You could also consider progressing to further study at Masters Level, or starting your own business, which our team can support you with.
We will consider a variety of qualifications and relevant experience and each application is assessed on its own merit.
To enrol on this course, you will usually be required to have 240 credits from a foundation degree or Higher National Diploma.
Completion of an appropiate foundation degree in sport, outdoor or yacht subjects.
Each module is worth a specified number of credits: you take a combination of compulsory (and if available optional modules) enabling you to cover key subject knowledge while developing your own interests. For full time students a total of 120 credits will be studied in each academic year. In the majority of cases this will consist of 6 modules. For part time students it will depend on the intensity of your studies.
Year 1 Modules
Applied performance coaching* (core module) - 20 credits
Research project (core module) - 40 credits
Applied coaching pedagogy* (pathway option) - 20 credits
Applied sport psychology (pathway option) - 20 credits
Sports development, legislation and issues* (pathway option) - 20 credits
*Subject to approval
At University Centre South Devon, we’re committed to helping you succeed – academically, professionally and personally. Whether you’re studying full-time or part-time, you’ll benefit from supportive teaching, flexible study options, dedicated academic and wellbeing support, and access to funding to help with the cost of living. Below you’ll find essential information about how our university-level courses are delivered, assessed and supported, so you can feel confident in your next steps.
Financial support and bursaries
Funding is available to help you with living costs during your studies via Student Finance England. We are committed to supporting our students with a number of bursary packages, which you will receive if you meet particular criteria, and does not need to be repaid. Bursaries are awarded in addition to any funding received from Student Finance England.
When studied part-time, the duration of the course depends on the speed at which you wish to progress through it. This is called the ‘intensity of study’. For example, studying half-time would be equivalent to 50 per cent intensity of study and would typically extend the length of the course from two to three years. As part-time study will mean attendance of some modules that are on the full-time timetable, it may mean that you will be required to attend modules timetabled over three days of the week. You may be able to change the intensity of study during your course. Not all intensities of study are available for all programmes.
Teaching
Our dedicated teaching teams will support with your application of theoretical and practical knowledge and will be invaluable to your development. Their passion and enthusiasm is exceptional, with dedicated support and tutorial time available so that you can make the most of your studies.
Teaching staff
You will be taught by an experienced teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. The team includes academic staff, professional practitioners with industry experience, and where relevant, technicians. Postgraduate students undertaking teacher training may also contribute to the teaching of seminars under the supervision of the module leader. Our teaching is informed by research, professional practice and industry experience to provide you with the most up to date and relevant learning opportunities.
Assessment
We recognise feedback as an essential component of your learning and progression. We adopt a feed-forward approach whereby feedback is given in a developmental manner to support your continued progression. You will receive feedback on all assessments within 20 working days.
Academic support
A key feature of our university level programmes is the exceptional support we provide for students. We are passionate about providing dedicated and bespoke support services to help you make the most of your time here and to maximise your potential. We have an experienced team who offer a range of services, and regular 1:1 contact time with your personal tutor guarantees your professional and personal development. We can provide help with study skills, written English, academic writing, research skills, critical thinking, and revision. We hold the principles of equality and opportunity for all in the highest regard. That’s why our degrees are designed to be accessible for anyone, regardless of your personal circumstances. We endeavour to make reasonable adjustments and remove any barriers to your learning. We also offer more flexible timetables than other institutions to minimise the impact studying has on your personal life and responsibilities.
Independent learning
When not attending lectures, seminars or practicals you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking research in the library, preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for examinations where applicable. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities, including the library, the Research Centre, and our course specific environments.
International students with UK settled status
Qualification and Language Requirements:
- International Qualifications: If you hold qualifications from outside the UK, these must be officially translated and verified through ECCTIS.
- English Language Proficiency: If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence of proficiency by achieving an IELTS score of 6.8 or above.
Course Related Costs Included
Equipment to support practical sessions related to your programme of learning
Compulsory visits related to your programme of learning
Annual £10 printing allowance
Access to e-books and e-journals relating to your programme of study
Course Related Costs Not Included
Additional printing over the initial allowance
Personal protective equipment related to practical modules
Optional overseas and UK based field trips
The cost of books you may wish to purchase
An annual parking fee or bus pass for travel
